San Diego Swift Boat Naval History Bay Tour 75 min - Image 1
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San Diego Swift Boat Naval History Bay Tour 75 min

TourTruth score 7.0 out of 10

Average

9 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score

  • San Diego
  • 1 hr 15 min
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Feel PCF 816’s twin V12 diesels roar across San Diego Bay while retired Swift Boat sailors share stories of service in Vietnam.

About this tour

Feel the rumble of twin V12 diesels as PCF 816 races across San Diego Bay, bringing the story of Vietnam-era Swift Boat sailors to life. This 75-minute San Diego Swift Boat Naval History Bay Tour pairs a thrilling ride with the voices of retired Swift Boat sailors and museum docents.

Hear what it was like to serve as a skipper, gunner’s mate, engineman, radarman, quartermaster, or boatswain’s mate. Learn how the Navy used Swift Boats during Operation Market Time to intercept seaborne supplies, then sent them into the rivers and canals of the Mekong Delta and Ca Mau peninsula for special operations. Restored and operated on the bay by the Swift Boat Sailors Association, PCF 816 offers a vivid connection to the people and history behind the vessel.

Check in at the Maritime Museum’s ticket booth on the Embarcadero, then climb aboard for a fast-moving journey through San Diego’s naval past. Book your San Diego Swift Boat Naval History Bay Tour and experience the boat’s power and stories firsthand.

Highlights

  • Feel the power of two V12 diesel engines on a high-speed run across San Diego Bay
  • Hear retired Swift Boat sailors and docents share firsthand stories of service in Vietnam
  • Explore the history of PCF 816, from coastal patrols to operations in the Mekong Delta

What's included

Included

  • General admission ticket
  • PCF 816 Swift Boat Naval History Bay Tour

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

Important information

  • Check in at the Museum Ticket Booth on the Embarcadero in front of the Maritime Museum; staff will direct you to the waiting area
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants must sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Tour?

The Swift Boat Naval History Bay Tour lasts 75 minutes.

What language is the Tour in?

The live guide speaks English.

Where do I check in?

Check in at the Museum Ticket Booth on the Embarcadero in front of the Maritime Museum. Staff will direct you to the waiting area.

Can infants join the Tour?

Yes. Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap.

Is the Tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

How this score is calculated

This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 4.78 from 9 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.

How the score works and rating distribution in San Diego
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 7.0.

Provider rating distribution in San Diego

How many tours in San Diego have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • GetYourGuide
  • Viator

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